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July 25th, '06 Here's a letter I just wrote to friends and family. It says it all. If you're interested in donating toward refugee relief in Israeli, read down to the end. Dear Family and friends, Thank you to everyone who's been in touch to check how me and my family are coping with the war situation in Israel. Thank Gd, we are strategically located in the south west... far from both Lebanon and Gaza... so while our nerves are frayed from listening to the newscasts, we're OK. Despite this, the last few days have been a whirlwind. Because what's happening in the north, Israel is now dealing with a large population of refugees, who have headed south for some quiet and safety. My own city, Bet Shemesh, has taken in about 200, who are currently staying in three schools. Scores more have moved in with private families. A group of 65 people from Nahariya, Tzfat and Haifa is staying at the Uziel school - my own children's elementary school - just down the street. This includes the elderly, adults, 24 children, and as of last night, a new-born baby. The group that landed in our neighborhood represents the very weakest sector of society... those without cars (they were picked up from their bomb shelters by volunteer bus drivers), and most without jobs even during peacetime. It's a burden, but the national burden is staggering... While our city is taking care of only 200, the number of Israelis who are officially "in the line of fire" reaches almost a million. We all do what we can. I've been doing music with the kids, and have also been involved with scheduling volunteer "house mothers and fathers" -- so that there will always be someone on hand to take care of special requests. Others are dealing with the refugees' medical needs. Just yesterday a new baby came "home" from the hospital... to the school, where a special, private room (with a brand new, donated basinette!) was set up for the mother and child. Every bit helps. On Friday night, we walked over to the school after dinner, and Leora and Gilad chose two of their stuffed animals to give away. They landed in the hands of a pair of two-year old twins and has been visiting every day. The young mother who greeted us with tears in her eyes that night now smiles whenever she sees us. We don't know how long this situation is going to last, but we do know one thing: we can and will get through it ... together. Keep writing and calling, and keep Israel in your prayers. Financial contributions for the support of the local refugee population would be very much appreciated. I'm attaching an email from Lema'an Achai (For My Brothers), a nationally-recognized charitable organization located here in Beit Shemesh that has been spearheading the efforts to support the refugees until they can go back home. Please consider helping if you can... any contribution is fully tax deductible in America. Hoping for better news,
Love,
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:59:43 +0200
Not just the date is 24/7 - that's how the community in Bet Shemesh is
responding to the War and its Refugee Crisis.
Phase One - The first few days of this war brought untold numbers of
families fleeing the rockets & terror of the North, to their families and friends in Bet Shemesh. One local family has 35 guests in their small apartment; another has 15, in addition to their own family of seven. Hundreds of other apartments in our town now have sundry extra folks who've turned up, and are being warmly hosted.
Phase Two - In a remarkable cross-community coordinated program, Bet
Shemesh Municipality, together with the Community Centers, Charitable
Organisations and many many volunteers, have undertaken a community-based
refugee relief program.
Two schools have so far been opened up their doors (Shaalei Torah and
Uziel); Shaalei Torah has taken 105 people from Tiveria/Tiberius and
Hatzor; Uziel school has 52 people from Naharia; 35 in Nofei Aviv; 9 in
Maorot Yeshiva from Naharia; 41 at the Kadosh Family.
Total: 233 refugees.
In addition, many of the families who are lodging with their families and
friends in Bet Shemesh (Phase One), are now hitting the limits of
reasonable hospitality. Both financially and emotionally, too many people
in too small a place on zero-budget for who-knows-how-long, is a major stress.
Basic meals have been arranged for all these people. Everyone has a
mattress, blanket, access to showers, etc.
Summer camps have been initiated for the kids, run by Ariel and Bnei Akiva
Youth Groups. The Community Centers are helping with cultural activities
and arranging volunteers. A buddy scheme has been set up, matching incoming
refugee families with local hosting families (who provide laundry, showers,
and social support). The whole community is working on this - 24/7.
Lema'an Achai www.lemaanachai.org , together with Deputy Mayor Mr Shalom
Lerner, have been mandated to raise and manage the funding of the food and
other primary needs of this shell-shocked & transient population. (No
Government funds have been made available for this).
The cost is currently $2200/day. And rising.
Current Status: We have many calls each day from towns all over the North
of Israel - pleading with us to accept more buses of despairing families,
unable to take the constant air raid sirens, exploding rockets, the cramped
bomb shelters and fearful, screaming kids.
We want to immediately accept the next 200-300 people into our very
hospitable and welcoming town.
In order to do this we need more money for food; we need to buy more
mattresses, blankets and other basic items.
Total cost will be around $4000/day, plus $10,000 in purchased goods.
Third Phase: We are also developing a solution for when the schools become
overloaded.
So that we can accommodate 1000 or even more refugees.
We're looking at tent cities and other emergency-relief solutions.
What You Should Do
1. To Volunteer in Beit Shemesh/RBS
2. Please Donate Money and Help Us Raise More!
Lema'an Achai, a highly reputable, prize-winning charity in Bet Shemesh,
has now established a designated Refugee Relief Fund to meet these
emergency needs, with its own subcommittee of experts to oversee, supervise
and prioritise allocations.
Please now donate generously to:-
24 Hour Credit Card Service in Israel - +972 (0)2. 99.999.33
US Tax Deductible Donations:
UK Tax Deductible Donations:
Canadian Tax Deductible Donations:
Israel Tax Deductible Donations:
In the (happy!) event that any funds raised are not required for Refugee
Relief, they will be used for other critical charitable services.
Any questions - feel free to call me (+972-2-9997107).
24/7.
Thank you for your generous support.
"Rak Besorot Tovot" - We should hear only good news.
David |
